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Problem with Zebra in the cold

A little about what I do,

I am a lineman that works out in the elements at night. I use the Zebra H60. I love it for what I do! The problem that I have is it is cold now. down in the single digits. The light works great when I get out of a warm truck, but when the light starts cooling off, it will flicker on and off and then go out. I am sure it is getting cold and shrinking and loosing contact somewhere.

I am needing to know if there is a fix for this? Or if the new generation H60 handle the cold any better.

I work with over 13,000 volts and need to be able to see what I am doing, and a strobe light on my head is not what I need. I want to stay alive and see my family when my shift ends!

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

I have to were a hard hat with the light mounted to the outside of the hat. I do not see any way of keeping it warm.

With the light mounted to a hardhat, the light has to be lightweight. With external wires going to a battery pack, it adds to the dangers of becoming energized by high voltage or becoming snagged and entangled. Thus leaving me unplugged. These are the reasons I really like the Zebra!

If there was another light out there that could be mounted to a hardhat that had the lumens that this light does, I would try it out! The thing is so far, this has been the best all around light I have found........ so far. But will try others if they are available!

Once again Thanks for the reply! Anything helps.

If anyone has info on other lights that use the 18650, please post the links!

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

I work for Kansas City Power and light. Been a trouble man for a few years. Love the job!

Yes, they do supply us with headlamps. they are the Princeton tec eos headlamps. They are only rated for 50 lumens out the front. The H60 that I use is MUCH brighter and a wide field of view! At five feet in front of me, it is as wide as my arms stretched out(over 6 feet) . The Princeton at five feet is just a little bit more then a two foot circle.

I know I can use the princeton in the cold, but was wanting the Zebra fixed or a better headlamp.

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

Have you tried primaries? IIRC, Rechargable cells have a higher minimum operating temperature range, bottom out as it hits the negative digits. Even before then, the cells performance won't be good enough to keep the driver from kicking out.

Can the Princeton use li-ion cells, and does it still survive at those temperatures? If so then maybe it is the light.

Otherwise I'd look for a primary solution.

Edit: looks like leukos and I have the same idea, but he posted right as I looked away. You win this time!

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

Originally Posted by Qoose

Have you tried primaries?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as an 18650 sized primary lithium battery.

If I were in this situation, I would get one of the AA or CR123 zebralights. They won't be quite as bright as the H60 on its highest setting at around 80-90 lumens or so depending on the model you choose, but will work fantastically with a lithium primary that can handle extreme temps much better.

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

DuneDevil, I believe I have the 501 (The AA version). I am a cell tech and some of my recent night shifts ended up beening all nighters in single digits without the windchill. I have had no problems with my light at all. I use strictly eneloops, but I just bought some Lithiums for backpacking. Maybe the AA version will be ok for you. My only complaint is that I carry 2 batteryies in my pocket for the runtime is only 2.5 hours. Good luck

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

I would strongly consider the Surefire Minimus. It costs a bit more than the Zebra Light, but it runs on cr123 primaries. It is floody and bright. In your line of work you should have a quality light you can rely on.

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

You might also want to take a look at the new Fenix HL20 headlight. Takes 1AA, no external wires, and has a flip up diffuser so you can choose spot or floodlight. It's 105 lumens on high and costs $42. You can use lithium, NiMH, or alkaline batteries in it.

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

Hey DuneDevil,

I live in Kansas City also. If you'd like to try out the Zebralight H501w, send me a PM. I have two and I'd be happy to let you borrow one. Running on an Energizer lithium primary cell, it might do the job.

Yes I know, the manufacturers may say whatever they like, and what they say may be true in low current draw devices.
Then theres the BUT.
If you look at the freezer test in my sig line you see how Energizer Lithium, sanyo Eneloop, and several other AA batteries behave when frozen.

The tests are made in room temperature, so only the first 5-10 minutes are relevant before the cells warm up due ambient temp, internal resistance and driver heat.

With Energizer Lithiums Fenix TK20 dropped out of regulation for only 20 seconds, but thats enough because with Sanyo Eneloops the drop was very small.

As a bonus theres a few similar tests that i made with Fenix TK11 R2 and 18650 Li-ions.

Re: Problem with Zebra in the cold

I find the 501 to be brighter than I'd expect off a AA Eneloop and I think you'll find the NiMH to handle the cold a lot better. It will let you know before blinking out too as opposed to my H30 on Li-ions which usually gives little warning and just goes off. The 501 lasts a long time on medium and I think it even outlasts the H30 on high and again it starts to flicker a bit before totally going out. Carry a couple spare Eneloops and you should be good to go for a whole shift. I find I can do most things on medium and that will last 8 hours easy on a full charge. But in consideration of your work please carry at least one spare headlamp ready to go as well as a flashlight.

There is no important work, there are only a series of moments to demonstrate your mastery and impeccability. Quote from Almine